Hydrangea plant named &#39;SMHMEPSILON&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Hydrangea  cultivar named ‘SMHMEPSILON’ is disclosed, characterized by lace-cap inflorescence, early flowering and strong, continuous blooming. The new variety is a  Hydrangea,  normally produced as an ornamental plant for containers or gardens.

Latin name of the genus and species: Hydrangea hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘SMHMEPSILON’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Hydrangea cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Timothy D. Wood, in Grand Haven, Mich. The objective of the breeding program was to produce new Hydrangea varieties. The open pollination resulting in this new variety was made during July of 2008.

The seed parent is the patented commercial variety Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Robert’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,020. The pollen parent is unknown, as it was an open pollination breeding program. The new variety was identified as a potentially interesting selection in June of 2011, at a greenhouse in Grand Haven, Mich.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘SMHMEPSILON’ by softwood cuttings was first performed during the June of 2011, at commercial greenhouse in Grand Haven, Mich. Subsequent propagation has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type in 4 successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘SMHMEPSILON’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘SMHMEPSILON’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘SMHMEPSILON’ as a new and distinct Hydrangea cultivar:

1. Lace-cap inflorescence. 2. Early flowering. 3. Strong continuous bloomer.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SMHMEPSILON’ are similar to plants of the seed parent, Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Robert’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘SMHMEPSILON’ differ in the following:

1. Lacecap inflorescence. Seed parent has a mophead inflorescence. 2. Earlier flowering 3. Stronger flowering stems.

Pollen parent unknown as this is product of open pollination.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

‘SMHMEPSILON’ can be compared to the patented commercial variety Hydrangea ‘MAK20’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,820. These varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however ‘SMHMEPSILON’ differs in the following:

1. Taller plant. 2. Larger inflorescence width.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical flowering plant of ‘SMHMEPSILON’ grown outdoors in Grand Haven, Mich., USA, in a field.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a close up view of the inflorescence. Inflorescences on the plant in FIG. 1 are less mature than those in FIG. 2. Age of the plant photographed is approximately 2-3 years. The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The 1996 Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘SMHMEPSILON’ plants grown in a double layered poly greenhouse, in Grand Haven, Mich., USA. The growing temperature ranged from approximately 18° C. to 27° C. daytime and 5° to 10° C. at night. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Measurements were taken during July of 2015.

-   Botanical classification: Hydrangea hybrid ‘SMHMEPSILON.’ -   Propagation:     -   -   Time to initiate roots.—Approximately 18 days at             approximately 27° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plants.—Approximately 60 days             at approximately 27° C.         -   Root description.—Thick and fine, freely root branching and             dense, fibrous. Color is white and brown.         -   Propagation method.—Softwood cuttings. -   Plant:     -   -   Age of plant described.—2-3 years.         -   Pot size.—#2.         -   Growth habit.—Flowering perennial shrub, round.         -   Overall plant shape.—Round.         -   Height.—57 cm.         -   Plant spread.—42 cm.         -   Growth rate.—Good.         -   Plant vigor.—Good.         -   Branching characteristics.—Opposite, basal branches, some             pinching required.         -   Length of lateral branches.—Approximately 45 cm.         -   Number of lateral branches.—15.         -   Diameter of lateral branches.—4 mm.         -   Lateral branch shape and appearance.—Round.         -   Lateral branch strength.—Good.         -   Internode length.—5 cm.         -   Branch color.—Immature: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145B Mature:             Near RHS Yellow-Green 145B.         -   Branch aspect.—45°.         -   Branch pubescence.—No. -   Foliage:     -   -   Leaf.—Arrangement: Opposite. Average Length: 12 cm Average             Width: 10 cm Shape of blade: Ovate Apex: Acuminate Base:             Rounded to obtuse Margin: Serrate Texture and appearance of             top surface: Leathery, glossy Texture and appearance of             bottom surface: Glossy, coarse. Color: Young foliage upper             side: Near RHS Yellow-green 144A Young foliage under side:             Near RHS Yellow-green 146B Mature foliage upper side: Near             RHS Green 139A Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Green             138B Venation: Type: Pinnate Venation color upper side: Near             RHS Yellow-green 145B Venation color under side: Near             Yellow-green 145B.         -   Petiole.—Average Length: 2.8 cm Diameter: 3 mm Color: Upper             side: Near RHS Yellow-green 145B Under side: Near RHA             Yellow-green 145B Texture upper side: Glossy, slight             pubescence. Texture under side: Glossy, slight pubescence. -   Flower:     -   -   Bloom period.—Natural Season: Early Summer until Fall.             Inflorescence: Type: Lacecap Quantity of flowers per             inflorescence: Fertile flowers, 90 approximately. Sterile             Flowers, 14 approximately. Persistent or self-cleaning:             Self-cleaning Fragrance: Lightly scented.         -   Panicle.—Shape: Round with a flattened top Height: 4 cm             Diameter: 15 cm.         -   Sterile flower.—Androecium: Yes Bud shape: Obovate Bud             length: 4 mm Bud diameter: 2.5 mm Bud color: Acidic: Near             RHS Violet-blue 98B Basic: Near RHS Purple 76B Flower             aspect: Upright and outward Flower shape: Cruciform Flower             length: 3.8 cm Flower Diameter: 4 mm Flower Depth: 2 mm.         -   Sterile flower petals.—Petal Arrangement: Whorl Length of             petal: Approximately 2 mm Width of petal: Approximately 1 mm             Apex: Acute Shape of petal: Ovate Petal margin: Entire Petal             Base: Obtuse/fused Petal Number: 4 Petal Texture: Smooth,             upper and under side Color: Upper surface at first opening:             Acidic: Near RHS Violet-blue 98B. Basic: Near RHS Purple 76B             Upper surface at maturity: Acidic: Near RHS Violet-blue 98B.             Basic: Near RHS Purple 76B Under surface at first opening:             Acidic: Near RHS Violet-blue 98B. Basic: Near RHS Purple 76B             Under surface at maturity: Acidic: Near RHS Violet-blue 98B.             Basic: Near RHS Purple 76B.         -   Sterile flower sepal.—Arrangement: Whorl Number: 4 Shape:             Obovate Tip: Obtuse Base: Cuneate Margin: Entire Length: 2             mm Width: 2 mm Texture, Upper: Smooth Texture, Lower: Smooth             Color: Upper surface at first opening: Acidic: Near RHS             Purple-violet 82C and Violet-Blue 93C at the base. Basic:             Near RHS Red-purple 68B Upper surface at maturity: Acidic:             Near RHS Purple-violet 82C and Violet-Blue 93C at the base.             Basic: Near RHS Red-purple 68B Under surface at first             opening: Acidic: Near RHS Purple-violet 82D and Violet-Blue             93D at the base. Basic: Near RES Red-purple 73B Under             surface at maturity: Acidic: Near RHS Purple-violet 82D and             Violet-Blue 93D at the base. Basic: Near RHS Red-purple 73B             Fading to Upper surface: Acidic: Near RHS Purple-violet 82C             and Violet-Blue 93C at the base. Basic: Near RHS Red-purple             73D Fading to Under surface: Acidic: Near RHS Purple-violet             82D and Violet-Blue 93D at the base. Basic: Near RHS             Red-purple 73D.         -   Sterile flower pedicel.—Length: 14 mm Diameter: 1 mm Angle:             Upright and outward Strength: Good Texture: Smooth Color:             Acidic: Near RHS Violet-blue 94C Basic: Near RHS Red-purple             69A         -   Fertile flower.—Bud shape: Round to obovate Bud length: 2 mm             Bud diameter: 2.5 mm Bud color: Near RHS White 155B with             Red-purple 63C on the top Flower aspect: Upright and             outward. Flower shape: Star-like Flower length: 6 mm Flower             diameter: 4.5 mm Flower depth: 5 mm.         -   Fertile Flower Petals.—Length of petal: 2 mm Width of petal:             1 mm Apex: Acute Shape of petal: Ovate Petal margin: Entire             Petal Arrangement: Whorl Petal Number: 5 Petal base:             Rounded/obtuse Petals Fused: No. Petal Texture: Smooth,             upper and under side Color: Upper surface at first opening:             Acidic: Near RHS Blue 100C Basic: Near RHS Red-purple 68C             Upper surface at maturity: Acidic: Near RHS Blue 100C Basic:             Near RHS Red-purple 68C Under surface at first opening:             Acidic: Near RHS Blue 100C Basic: Near RHS Red-purple 68C             Under surface at maturity: Acidic: Near RHS Blue 100C Basic:             Near RHS Red-purple 68C Upper surface fading to: Acidic:             Near RHS Blue 100C Basic: Near RHS Red-purple 68C Lower             surface fading to: Acidic: Near RHS Blue 100C Basic: Near             RHS Red-purple 68C.         -   Fertile flower pedicel.—Angle: 15-90° Strength: Good Length:             2.5 mm Width: 0.5 mm Texture: Smooth Color: Acidic: Near RHS             Blue 104B Basic: Near RHS Red-purple 68B.         -   Fertile flower sepal.—Arrangement: Whorl Number: 5 Shape:             Triangular Tip: Acute Base: Ovate Margin: Entire Length: 1             mm Width: 1 mm Texture, Upper: Smooth Texture, Lower: Smooth             Color: Upper surface at first opening: Acidic: Near RHS Blue             100C Basic: Near RHS Red-purple 62C Upper surface at             maturity: Acidic: Near RHS Blue 100C Basic: Near RHS             Red-purple 62C Under surface at first opening: Acidic: Near             RHS Blue 100C Basic: Near RHS Red-purple 62C Under surface             at maturity: Acidic: Near RHS Blue 100C Basic: Near RHS             Red-purple 62C Upper surface fading to: Acidic: Near RHS             Blue 100C Basic: Near RHS Red-purple 62C Lower surface             fading to: Acidic: Near RHS Blue 100C Basic: Near RHS             Red-purple 62C. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Sterile flower.—Stamen number: 8 Filament length: 1 mm             Filament color: Acidic: Near RHS Blue 105C Basic: Near RHS             Purple-violet 82A Anther shape: Round Anther color: Acidic:             Near RHS Blue 106A Basic: Near RHS Red-purple 62B Anther             length: 1 mm Pollen amount: Some Pollen color: Inconspicuous             Gynoecium: Yes Pistil number: 1, two-lobbed Pistil length: 1             mm Stigma shape: Lobed Style length: 1 mm Style color:             Acidic: Near RHS Violet-blue 98A Basic: Near RHS Red-purple             64B Ovary color: Acidic: Near RHS Violet-blue 98A Basic:             Near RHS Red-purple 64B.         -   Fertile flower.—Stamen number: 5-10 Filament length: 5 mm             Filament color: Acidic: Near RHS Blue 104A Basic: Near RHS             Red-purple 68B Anther shape: Oblong Anther length: 1 mm             Anther color: Near RHS Greyed-green 197B Pollen amount: Some             Pollen color: Near RHS White 155B Pistil number: 1,             two-lobed and three-lobed Pistil length: 5 mm Stigma shape:             Lobed Stigma color: Acidic: Near RHS Blue 104B Basic: Near             RHS Red-purple 73C Style length: 2 mm Style color: Acidic:             Near RHS Blue 104B Basic: Near RHS Red-purple 63C Ovary             color: Acidic: Near RHS Blue 100D Basic: Near RHS Red-purple             73D. -   Other characteristics:     -   -   Disease resistance.—Neither resistance nor susceptibility to             diseases or pests has been observed in this variety.         -   Cold tolerance.—−31° C. to 38° C.         -   Fruit/seed production.—1000's of seeds. Seeds very small,             dust-like. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plant named ‘SMHMEPSILON’ as herein illustrated and described. 